Other Mommy movie review: Jessica Chastain can’t save this messy, predictable horror film

"Other Mommy," a horror film starring Jessica Chastain, fails to deliver on its potential to be a genuinely terrifying and suspenseful experience. The plot revolves around a disheartened mother, Mommy, whose daughter Bela introduces her to a sinister presence that has infiltrated her home. Despite the promise of an intriguing creature that closely resembles Mommy, the film does little to build suspense or tension.

Director Rob Savage presents the otherworldly entity before the opening credits, as Bela chats with it after the parents have gone to bed, which negates any lingering fear. Rather than exploring the sadness that the film suggests is plaguing the house, Other Mommy resorts to relying on jump scares and a haphazard series of events, including a bizarre sequence in which Bela visits her grandparents' castle home.

The film struggles to maintain its narrative coherence, with the grandmother's mysterious connection to her deceased husband and the inclusion of mediums feeling like an unwelcome detour from the main story. It's unclear why Jessica Chastain would choose to star in this film, given the lackluster execution of her character's arc. Other Mommy, directed by Rob Savage, receives a dismal 1-star rating from this reviewer.